Who Will Die in The Walking Dead’s Bloody Midseason Finale?

As we head into the midseason finale of The Walking Dead on Sunday, plenty of fans are wondering whose head might roll. The midseason closers of seasons past have featured the deaths of characters including Spencer Monroe, Beth Greene, and Hershel Greene. We’re guessing Maggie won’t follow her family’s proud tradition of dying in midseason finales, but a preview clip from this week’s episode does give us a sinking feeling—thanks to Maggie having a grim moment of déjà vu.

In the clip, we see Hilltop’s newly minted leader driving with Jesus at night. “Do you think they’ll surrender?” he asks, apparently talking about Negan and the Saviors. “They will,” she says. “Eventually.” Maggie notes that, similar to their own group, the Saviors will likely not give up quickly—but they’ll yield, she says, once they run out of food, water, and choices. But after that, she notices something very worrisome: a toppled tree in the road. “It could have fallen on its own,” Jesus suggests. “Trees do that.” But Maggie is unconvinced. As a look of horror spreads across her face, she says, “It’s them.”

Fans might remember that the Saviors have used this trick before; most memorably, they blocked several roads as Rick and the group were on the move in the Season 6 finale. The end result? That horrific scene in the woods, in which Glenn and Abraham were both brutally murdered in front of their loved ones’ eyes. We’re guessing Maggie is having a pretty gruesome flashback as she murmurs the words “it’s them,” and it’s hard to blame her. But who, exactly, is most likely to die this week?

Right now, the most vulnerable community is likely Alexandria, which has been largely abandoned as people including Michonne and Rosita have left for unplanned missions. It seems Michonne will make it back in time, however, as she’s seen in the episode’s trailer speaking with Carl, who ominously insists, “All we need to do is survive tonight.” Rumors suggest that Carl could be the one on the chopping block, but that would severely alter the story from what happens in the comics. (That doesn’t preclude the move, as the series has sharply deviated from the comics in the past, but it does heap several grains of salt on the theory.)

Another possibility? The drama could take a seriously dark turn and kill off Judith during the likely imminent bombing of Alexandria. Some fans are convinced that Judith is marked for death, thanks to the entrance of a new baby and the fact that it’s that baby’s stuffed animal we see the little girl playing with in Old Man Rick’s flash forward.

There is, however, another option—one that might inspire a revolt on the part of fans. Daryl, who has been aimless for several seasons and who, lately, has become an increasingly loose cannon, could be a marked man. It seems clear from this week’s trailer that the Saviors are mounting some sort of counter-attack in retaliation for Daryl’s decision to drive a truck through a wall of the Sanctuary. Any allied community deaths that result from this will be on Daryl—and since he already carries the guilt of getting Glenn killed last season, we’re guessing the show wouldn’t heap yet more guilt on top of it. A heroic self-sacrifice might be in his future.

That said, killing off Daryl would be a very bold move for the show, which still has many fans who promise to riot in the event of Daryl’s demise. At the very least, we can all agree on one thing: Jadis and her fellow obnoxious trash people all need to die a swift death, right?

Daryl Dixon

This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryl’s shirt. Then again, if it’s so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if we’re going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

King Ezekiel

King Ezekiel looks like he’s ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you'd see it through that coat.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Rick Grimes

It’s been many a moon since we’ve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let 'em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Carol Peletier

Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently it’s so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Sasha Williams

I guess it’s warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sasha’s even wearing short sleeves now!

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Maggie Greene

Then again, here’s Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Enid and Carl

I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. I’ll be here, staring at everyone’s clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.

Photo: Courtesy of AMC.

Daryl Dixon

This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryl’s shirt. Then again, if it’s so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if we’re going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.

Courtesy of AMC.

King Ezekiel

King Ezekiel looks like he’s ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you'd see it through that coat.

Courtesy of AMC.

Rick Grimes

It’s been many a moon since we’ve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let 'em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.

Courtesy of AMC.

Carol Peletier

Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently it’s so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.

Courtesy of AMC.

Negan

Again: here’s our Big Bad, zipped into his leather jacket, which looks like a thick summer sausage casing—and looking pretty comfy. In one episode, we see Negan all layered up and then totally comfy on the porch with Carl—sporting bare arms. One of those two outfits must be uncomfortable, right?

Courtesy of AMC.

Paul Rovia (Jesus)

Jesus might be the key to unlocking this puzzle. In recent episodes, he’s been seen without his beanie and jacket—which would imply to us that it’s getting warmer. So perhaps it’s spring? But if that's the case, how are Ezekiel and the Kingdom growing such luscious apples and pomegranates? Back to Square One.

Courtesy of AMC.

Tara Chambler

Far be it for us to tell a woman how to dress—but why layer two short-sleeved shirts? If it’s warm, this would theoretically be uncomfortable—and if it’s cool, wouldn’t it be easier to simply wear sleeves? Perhaps long-sleeved shirts are in short supply during the zombie apocalypse.

Courtesy of AMC.

Morgan Jones

Morgan is wearing the same clothing as Rick these days, yet he produces less sweat. That kind of biological poise is why he belongs in a place called the Kingdom, and Rick does not.

Courtesy of AMC.

Michonne

Speaking of the Kingdom: my kingdom to whoever can explain to me Michonne and Ezekiel's clearly polar opposite body temperatures.

Dwight

I don’t know, man. I just don’t know.

Courtesy of AMC.

Sasha Williams

I guess it’s warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sasha’s even wearing short sleeves now!

Courtesy of AMC.

Maggie Greene

Then again, here’s Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.

Courtesy of AMC.

Enid and Carl

I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. I’ll be here, staring at everyone’s clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.